Much of the Christian Reformed Church’s mandate to The Banner, established in 2015, hasn’t changed, but here’s what has and what you can expect to read and not to read because of that.

Dan Veeneman’s news writing has shown him acts of community service that deepen his faith and encourage reflection: ‘how can I make a difference?’

Synod news; columns from Cross Examination, Big Questions, and Faith Matters; four features; and an As I Was Saying blog post were among the most-accessed articles on thebanner.org this year.

Wonder who makes up the team putting together the news, features, media reviews, and ads that make up The Banner in print and online each month?

Recent criticism questioning the value of The Banner and the kinds of articles its staff choose to publish prompted a response.

Several news stories, a few of our Cross Examination columns, three features, and an As I Was Saying blog post captured the most attention in The Banner’s web-published articles this year.

The fact that more people—almost 200 more—participated in this year’s survey is heartening. Check out some of the results here.

In the May print issue, we published an ad for the group Better Together: A Third Way, which drew some reactions and criticisms. I would like to respond to those concerns.

I received an unexpected letter in the mail in mid-January.

These choices are based on our entries to the Evangelical Press Association and the Associated Church Press awards competitions.

Thirteen of the 25 most-accessed online Banner stories in 2022 had to do with Synod 2022, which recommended the human sexuality report and declared that “unchastity” includes homosexual sex.

I think it is time to publicly reply to these questions about why we publish articles on issues where the denomination disagrees to benefit a wider audience.

What goes into reporting from synod? Glad you asked!

I know what we do online is tracked one way or another but what does The Banner know about me?

One recurring question I get as its editor in chief is whether The Banner will ever consider going entirely digital, forgoing its print form.

Let’s look back one last time to some of our best from 2021.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, The Banner will close the online commenting function on its website.

It’s important to us to share worthy letters with our general readership on the Reply All page.

I was hesitant to write this blog because I was afraid it might come across as bragging.

“An independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture, and ethics,” Religion News Service is a helpful way to keep Banner readers informed.

Here are the past eight movie reviews we’ve run in The Banner, plus a note from me about my rationale for assigning, writing, or accepting a pitch for the review.

Some think we have double standards or even some sort of reverse discrimination. The real reason, however, is a lot more innocuous.

The more funds we can raise through advertising and donations, the less we need to rely on ministry shares.